The events of this episode take place in a well-documented context. King Hormheb celebrated his

coronation during the Opet Festival. The Opet Festival was an annual party, in which the god Amun Ra

joined with the king, and the pharaoh renewed his power and prestige.

The festival is recorded in detail, and I've covered it quite recently. In episode 146, we explored

this celebration and its appearance in the reign of Tutankhamun. If you are just joining the podcast,

I recommend that episode.

It's not essential, but it will give the important background to these celebrations.

Once again, that is episode 146.

Cheers. Hello everyone, and welcome back to the History of Egypt podcast, episode 161, Horace takes the crown. Today, a new era begins.

Hore M. Heb, once a government official, has seized power and become the ruler. The new king celebrated his achievement in grand style, appearing at Karnak at the height of the Opet festival.

There, Hormheb revealed his agenda as the pharaoh, and he took the opportunity to

legitimize his unorthodox ascent. It is a strange moment in Egypt's political history, the tale of a

king establishing his reign, a pharaoh confirming his legitimacy.

This is the tale of Horamheb's coronation.

The tale of Horamheb's coronation. The year was 1330 BCE, approximately.

King Ai was dead, Tutankhamun was dead.

Anke San Amun was retired, maybe, possibly dead, we can't be sure.

But apparently, the royal bloodline of Dynasty 18 had reached its end.

After 200 years and more, a line of rulers was broken.

Now, power was in new hands.

The crowns would pass to a man who, as far as we can tell,

had no blood connection to the royal house.

...